AUTOMATON WEST

Japanese users discuss the correct way for game devs to go about accepting player feedback and incorporating proposed solutions into their games. The topic was prompted by an episode from the development of Dying Light.

The producers of Sega's Sonic Superstars, Takashi Iizuka of Sega of America and Naoto Oshima of Arzest discuss challenges they were faced with throughout development.

Emi (Ethereal Master of Illustration) is a free to use AI image generator by Japanese developer AI Picasso that claims to be "clean," avoiding the use of stolen and unauthorized images.

The PS2's graphics performance was groundbreaking for its time, and some players still claim that the console's visuals can hold their own against modern game systems. Is it nostalgia that keeps gamers singing the console's praises, or did the PS2 truly have timeless visuals?

In the English-speaking world, using periods at the end of your sentences while texting is more than likely to create the impression that you’re either elderly, angry or a grammar snob, which is why omitting it has become more or less the norm. It turns out, a similar phenomenon exists in Japanese texting culture as well. 

Studio Trigger managing director, Kazuya Masumoto, speaks about recent changes in workflow and recruitment, influenced largely by the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the field of Production Management.

Midnight Games, developer of the title previously known as “Only Multiplayer: Up!” have changed their upcoming game’s name to Only Up!, the name of SCKR Games' now discontinued title.

In an interview, Fate/Samurai Remnant producer Tomohiko Sho talks about details such as how the game was meant to be a soulslike and why Saber isn't fully playable.

Why do people in Japan have such a strict view of punctuality? Cultural differences between Japan and overseas countries can show us why being tardy in Japan is such a big deal.

Why does PlayStation keep changing their mascot? Nintendo has Mario, Sega has Sonic, but PlayStation seems to have accumulated a team of mascots over the years. Online users discuss why the brand just can't seem to stick to one character.

Japanese AI startup founder Takahiro Anno introduced his almost fully automated comic generation process, causing discussion about manga artist’s assistants/apprentices potentially being replaced by AI and other effects the use of generative AI technology may have on Japan’s comic industry. 

Japanese web service developer Soudanbako released the beta version of their new social media platform called Dystopia on September 24 for iOS and Android. The app uses AI to censor offensive phrases and prevent cyberbullying.

An interview with Tetsuya Fukuhara, general director, and Yasuyuki Kaji, director of Granblue Fantasy: Relink, which is scheduled to release worldwide on February 1, 2024.

I played 15 minutes of HoYoverse's Zenless Zone Zero demo at Tokyo Game Show 2023. Here's what I thought about the yet to be released title's gameplay mechanics and character designs.

Game creator Hideki Kamiya announced on September 25 that he will be resigning from PlatinumGames. The company has also issued an official statement. 

Japanese game publisher D3PUBLISHER hosted a panel dedicated to discussing the commercial failure of their 2023 title ED-0: Zombie Uprising on Tokyo Game Show 2023.

Studio Ghibli will become a subsidiary of Nippon TV starting October 6. While the acquisition may be worrying to some, the studio already has a long history of working under another company.

Japanese indie developer Simizu announced their upcoming first-person horror title Ghost in the Brain/孵る明晰夢 for the PC (Steam). The game is scheduled for release in February 2024.

A Japanese user's recent trip to Ikebukuro's popular anime store, Animate, unintentionally reveals the evolution of anime culture. Is anime now mainstream?

Japanese indie developer Yamauchi_games will be releasing Drunk Way to Home, in which the player has to help a heavily intoxicated man find his way back home even though he can't walk without collapsing after every few steps.

Shortly upon the release of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Part 1: The Teal Mask for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, a strange behavior of the new Pokémon Okidogi was discovered and reported by an X/Twitter user.

A Japanese user explains how Japanese people can believe in two religions, Shintoism and Buddhism, at the same time with a Love Live! and Idol Master analogy. Users find the unconventional explanation to hold some truth.

A "mini roadmap" for Pokémon Sleep was announced on September 15, according to which future updates of the game will bring improvements related to the Energy of Pokémon.

Square Enix released a new trailer for Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince, along with the game’s demo on September 15. Revisions to Maya Mahabala's outfit have been attracting attention in particular.